Director, Holistic Legal Services

Position Summary

The Director of Holistic Legal Services will be responsible for supervising, developing, supporting, and retaining high performing attorneys. The Director will work closely with the Director/Associate Director of Holistic Social Services in overseeing and perfecting the implementation and integration of the legal and social services delivered to our justice-involved clients. The Director is an expert in criminal law and understands the unique developmental needs of minors and emerging adults. The Director will implement policies, procedures, and best practices aimed at assessing and building their team members’ skills and strengths, while ensuring the delivery of exceptional legal and social services. The Director will work collaboratively across the organization with leaders and executive team members to implement and oversee workplans related to strategic goals.

The Director will act as co-counsel in a limited number of cases. The Director will be responsible for assigning lawyers to individual cases, and reviewing and providing feedback on case workplans, legal pleadings, research memos, moots, mitigation, and other attorney activities. The Director will facilitate training opportunities (internal and external) for the team and collaborate with the Director/Associate Director of Holistic Social Services to facilitate training opportunities for case managers and outreach workers. The Director will collaborate with the Managing Director of Deer Housing on policies and procedures related to Deer Housing referrals and intake, and mitigation development. The Director will attend internal and external meetings with community and other strategic partners, as needed. The Director will collaborate and support a vision for the most efficient and effective implementation of holistic defense for our youth.

Responsibilities

• Manage delivery of LCLC’s vision, mission, values, and culture.
• Collaborate closely with the Vice President of Operations and Policy and the Director/Associate Director of Holistic Social Services in directing and overseeing management of delivery of holistic legal services to each youth we serve.
• Develop, implement, and oversee best practices in holistic community lawyering.
• Provide direct supervision to the LCLC Holistic Legal Team (attorneys, paralegals, and investigators), which includes but is not limited to the following activities:
• Ensuring that all pleadings are well researched and written
• Assist in the development of novel and creative legal strategies
• Ensure complete and thorough case investigation, legal research, and case analysis
•  Review mitigation packages
• Review exams, oversee moots and attend select court appearances to provide support and/or feedback.
•  Provide support to attorneys to ensure their needs are being met, especially during times of high stress.
• Help create and implement procedures to assess and strengthen attorneys’ performance, including regular individual meetings, performance reviews, and professional development and training.
• Conduct audits of clients’ files along with the Director/Associate Director of Holistic Social Services for quality assurance.
•  Act as lead or co-counsel in a limited number of cases, as needed.
•  Help respond to client or case crises.
•  Help oversee legal and case management systems and ensure accurate and timely data collection.
•  Help develop and implement standards, guidelines, procedures and forms to ensure quality holistic representation.
• Collaborate with pro-bono partners on cases.
• Assist lawyers in identifying clients for Deer Housing referrals and collaborate with the Managing Director of Deer Housing on procedures relating to the referral and intake process.
•  Keep up to date on best practices, legal developments, and social science.
•  Oversee legal interns.
• Oversee consent and intake procedure for new clients in partnership with the Director/Associate Director of Holistic Social Services.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Operations and Policy on issues involving litigation, legislative policy, and criminal justice reform efforts to develop and implement strategies supporting the above, in line with the vision of LCLC.
• Help create and manage LCLC strategic goal workplans in collaboration with the Vice President of Operations and Police and the Chief Strategy Office.
• Collaborate with the Director of Research and Evaluation on data collection and analysis to ensure effective delivery of services and alignment with LCLC’s strategic goals.
• Assist with resource allocation oversight and budget management for holistic legal services.
•  Attend external meetings with community, legal and governmental partners, as needed.
•  Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

· Licensed to practice in Illinois or eligibility for the Illinois bar.

· Five or more years of criminal defense trial experience. Juvenile defense trial experience is a plus.

· Strong trial advocacy skills.

· Excellent research and writing skills.

· Three or more years of experience in management or leadership.

· Passion for social justice, particularly as it relates to the criminal justice system.

· Cultural sensitivity – ability and comfort working with diverse staff, clients, and community partners.

· Experience working with high-risk justice involved youth.

· Highly resourceful and able to initiate and manage multiple projects and deadlines.

· Ability to lead in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

· Ability to manage and perform in high stress situations.

· Ability to work independently and effectively manage a team.

· Ability to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team.

· Familiarity with restorative justice practices preferred.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook, and in legal applications such as Westlaw and Lexis/Nexis. Ability to learn new software and databases quickly.

· High level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations as the position continually requires demonstrated poise, tact, discretion, and diplomacy.

· Ability to create and maintain a culture of continuous quality improvement in service delivery and innovation.

· Ability to think strategically and creatively, including experience with setting project objectives, addressing potential barriers, identifying process steps, resources, and milestones, and adjusting action plans to achieve desired outcomes.

· Current driver’s license, insurance, and reliable access to a vehicle.

· Individuals from, or with connections to, North Lawndale or adjacent neighborhoods will be given special consideration.

· Willingness to live in North Lawndale preferred.

Supervisory Responsibility
 This position is responsible for supervisor the Holistic Legal Team Supervisor and supporting the Holistic Defense Attorneys who report to the Supervisor. 

Required Education and Experience

• Licensed to practice in Illinois.
• Ten or more years of criminal defense trial experience.
• Five years of management or supervisor experience. 
  • Experience with working with high-risk justice-involved youth and emerging adults

            Work Environment/Travel

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works mostly in the field with some occasional work in an office environment that is quiet to moderately loud, depending on the work area. Some local, county, or state travel may be required, including overnight stays and the suburban Cook County area. Other travel of distance (may be required. Must possess and maintain an applicable Illinois Driver License, clean driving record, and auto insurance that meets state requirements.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger; reach with hands and arms; climb and descend stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. The employee may occasionally be required to lift or move up to 25 pounds. Requires normal range of motion, hearing and vision.  The Director will spend 60% - 70% of the time in the field with clients, meeting with partners, presenting in court, or supervising attorneys in court. The Director will spend 30% - 40% of the time handling administrative tasks and duties. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

It is a managerial level position requiring the exercise of discretion and independent judgment and is required to work a full-time work week, as designated by the LCLC Employee Handbook, with periodic longer hours, including potential evenings, weekends, and odd hours.

Lawndale Christian Legal Center is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of those we serve. 

North Lawndale residents and minorities encouraged to apply.